engesser etal



v. ENGESSER ETAL 3,126,219

' COMBINATION DOOR CHECK AND LOCK March 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1962 JNVENTOHS INE NGESSER Skfifi R BARNESS March 24, 19 4 v. ENGESSER ETAL 3,126,219

COMBINATION DOOR CHECK AND LOCK Filed Oct. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE N 7' 035' VALENTINE ENGESSER BY DANIEL R. BARNESS ATTOPMW United States Patent 3,126,219 CQMBIWATION D0032 CHECK AND LGCK Valentine Engesser, 8805 171st Sh, .larnaica, N.Y., and Daniel R. Berness, 112-42 111th Ave, (Bzone iark, NY.

Filed Oct. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 229,312 Claims. cram-4 in This invention concerns an improved door check and latch.

According to the invention there is provided a door check and latch including a first plate which is secured to a door and a cooperating plate which is secured to a door jamb or door frame. A hook bar or bolt may be engaged in registering openings of the two plates to keep the door in a securely locked condition. When it is desired to permit the door to be opened slightly, the hook bar is lifted to a horizontal position as the door is opened. The hook bar remains in this position until the door is closed, whereupon it drops down to a vertical position preventing the door from being opened again unless the bar is again turned up or removed. The bar can be removed from the registering openings in the plates to permit free opening and closing of the door.

For use as a night latch, the hook bar may have one end engaged in the registering openings of the two plates, while the free other end of the hook bar engages in an eye on the door plate. This positioning of the bar prevents the door from being opened from inside or outside unless the bar is first removed.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved door check and latch assembly including a door plate, a jamb plate and a hook bar for engaging parts of both plates.

Another object is to provide a stronger, and more secure night latch assembly than has heretofore been provided in devices of this type.

Other objects are to provide an improved door check and latch assembly which can be inexpensively manufactured; which is easy to install; which is simple to manipulate; which affords greater security; and is foolproof in operation and cannot be opened by unauthorized persons from outside the door.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a device embodying the invention shown installed on a door and door frame, and arranged in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the parts of the device alone, in the same closed position as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the parts of the device in an unlocked position, shown mounted on the door and door frame, but on a larger scale than in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing the parts of the device open and separated.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 4, showing the parts of the device in another locked position on the door and door frame.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device similar to FIG. 3, showing the parts of the device alone in the locked position of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 6 showing the device on the door and door frame serving as a door check, with the door partially opened.

3,126,219 Patented Mar. 24, 1964 FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the parts of the device alone in the position of FIGS. 8 and 9. 7

FIG. 11 is a perspective View of a screw with a moditied head useful in installing the device.

Referring to the drawings, the device 20 as shown in FIGS. l-1O includes an elongated plate 22 having a long flat portion 24 and a shorter fiat portion 26 disposed at an obtuse angle of about to the flat portion 24. The plate portion 24 has an eye 28 near its free end. The eye is a flat member extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the plate portion 24, and is provided with a round hole 39. Two countersunk screw holes 32, 34 are provided near diagonally opposite end corners of the plate portion 24. These holes receive screws 33 for securing the plate to the inner side of a door 36.

T he device includes another plate 40 which has a flat rectangular portion 42 provided with countersunk holes 44, 46 near diagonally opposite corners. These holes receive screws 33 for mounting the plate portion 46 fiat against the inner side or edge 47 of the door frame 48 just in front of jamb 49. The plate portion 42 is disposed opposite the free edge 37 of the door, when the door is closed; see FIG. 2. Plate 46 has a flat plate portion 50 which extends at an obtuse angle of about 135 to plate portion 42. The two plate portions 26 and 50 of plates 22 and 46 abut each other when the door is closed as shown in FIG. 2, but separate freely from eachother when the door is opened as shown in FIG. 5.

An oval hole 27 is provided in plate portion 26. This hole registers with an oval hole 51 in plate portion 50 when the door is closed.

A hook bar 66 is provided for locking the parts of the device together. This bar is made from a length of massive solid metal rod. It is bent at one end to form a hook 62. The hook extends parallel to the straight body 63 of the bar and the free end or bight 64 of the hook is rounded. The free arm of the hook is about a third of the length of the body 63 of the bar. At its other end the bar 66 has a short arm 66 bent at a right angle to the body 63 of the bar. The arm 66 is bent in the plane of hook 62 and in the same direction laterally of the body 63.

FIGS. 13 show the device in a closed position, with the bar 66 securely locking the plates 22 and 40 to each other. Arm 66 is engaged in the eye 28 and the bar body 63 extends through registering holes 27 and 51. The bight 64 of the hook extends beyond the juxtaposed plate portions 26, 50 and the arm of hook 62 is turned around the abutted plate portion. The bar body 63 is substantially horizontal. In this position the door 36 cannot be opened from inside or outside the door even if its lock 35 is open, unless bar 66 is manually removed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the device 20 in an open position with plates 22 and 40 disengaged from each other. The bar 60 is hung by its book in the eye 23 so that it is out of the way when the door 36 is opened and closed.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the device 26' in a locked condition with plate portions 26 and 50 in abutment. The hook 6-2 of the bar 66 is engaged in the registering holes 27, 51 and the bar body 63 is vertical. In this position door 35 cannot be opened unless the bar 60 is moved. If the bar 66 is turned to a horizontal position then the parts will assume the checked or partially open position of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

When the bar 69 is turned to a horizontal position and door 36 is opened a few inches, the bar body 63 slides through hole 27 until arm 66 is engaged at the plate portion 26 and serves as a stop. The bight 64 of the hook is engaged at plate portion 50. The door 36 is held in this checked position. From outside the door an in- 3 truder cannot open the door further. If the door should be closed, the bar body 63 will slide through hole 27 until plate portion 26 abuts plate portion 5% and the bar body will drop to the vertical position of FIGS. 6 and 7. The door cannot then be opened again unless the bar is rotated to the horizontal poistion.

FIG. 11 shows a screw 33 with a modified head which may be advantageously employed for securing the plates 22 and 43 to the door and door frame. The screw is rendered tamperproof by removal of a quarter portion of the head '79. The slot wall 72 extends diametrally across the head. The opposite slot wall 7% extends only half way across the head. This right-hand screw can be turned clockwise by a screwdriver whose blade will bear on the slot walls 72 and '74 to tighten and drive the screw into place. If the blade is turned in the opposite direction the blade will lack a bearing support on the left side of the slot and will be ineffective to turn the screw for loosening it. When screws of this type are employed in installing the device Zii, the device will be provided with a safeguard against tampering by intruders.

The device 2t) as described includes just three rugged parts which can be made by mass production methods on metal working machinery. it is easy to use, long lasting and provides security to the user.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. A door check and night latch, comprising a first plate having a first fiat plate portion for securing the first plate to one side of a door, and a second flat plate portion extending at an angle to the first plate portion; a second plate having a third flat plate portion for securing the second plate to an inner edge of a door frame, and a fourth fiat plate portion extending at an angle to the third plate portion, said second and fourth plate portions abutting each other when the door is closed, each of the second and fourth plate portions having a hole for receiving a locking bar, the holes of the second and fourth plate portions being in registration when the door is closed, and a locking bar for locking the plates together, said bar having a straight bar body with a hook at one end for engaging in the registering holes to lock the second and fourth plate portions together and having an arm at its other end disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane of the body of the bar.

2. A door check and night latch, comprising a first plate having a first flat plate portion for securing the first plate to one side of a door, and a second flat plate portion extending at an angle to the first plate portion; a second plate having a third flat plate portion for securing the second plate to an inner edge of a door frame, and a fourth fiat plate portion extending at an angle to the third plate portion, said second and fourth plate portions abutting each other when the door is closed, each of the second and fourth plate portions having a hole for receiving a locking bar, the holes of the second and fourth plate portions being in registration when the door is closed, and a bar for locking the plates together, said bar having a straight bar body with a hook at one end for engaging in the registering holes to lock the second and fourth plate portions together, said bar having an arm bent laterally outward for engaging the second plate portion while the hook engages the fourth plate portion for holding the two plates separated a maximum predetermined distance While the bar body assumes a substantially horizontal position, and whereby the bar body will slide through the hole in the second plate portion and will assume a vertical position when the second and fourth '4 plate portions are brought together while the hook engages at the registering holes so that the plates will then be locked together again.

3. A door check and night latch, comprising a first plate having a first flat plate portion for securing the first plate to one side of a door, and a second flat plate portion extending at an angle to the first plate portion; a second plate having a third fiat plate portion for securing the second plate to an inner edge of a door frame, and a fourth flat plate portion extending at an angle to the third plate portion, said second and fourth plate portions abutting each other when the door is closed, each of the second and fourth plate portions having a hole for receiving a locking bar, the holes of the second and fourth plate portions being in registration when the door is closed, and a bar for locking the plates together, said bar having a straight bar body with a hook at one end for engaging in the registering holes to lock the second and fourth plate portions together, said first plate portion having an eye extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said first plate portion, said bar having an arm extending outwardly laterally of the bar body and engaging in said eye while the hook is engaged in the registering holes of the second and fourth plate portions.

4. A door check and night latch, comprising a first plate having a first flat plate portion for securing the first plate to one side of a door, and a second flat plate portion extending at an angle to the first plate portion; a second plate having a third flat plate portion for securing the second plate to an inner edge of a door frame, and a fourth flat plate portion extending at an angle to the third plate portion, said second and fourth plate portions abutting each other when the door is closed, each of the second and fourth plate portions having a hole for receiving a locking bar, the holes of the second and fourth plate portions being in registration when the door is closed, and a bar for locking the plates together, said bar having a straight bar body with a hook at one end for engaging in the registering holes to lock the second and fourth plate portions together, and having an arm extending laterally of the bar body at the other end thereof, each of the first and third plate portions having countersunk screw holes, and tamperproof screws inserted through said screw holes for securely mounting the plates on the door and door frame respectively, each of said screws having a countersunk head with a diametral slot, a quarter portion of said head being removed, so that a driving blade for the screws has bearing support in the slot in only one direction of turning.

5. A door check and night latch, comprising a first plate having a first flat plate portion for securing the first plate to one side of a door, and a second fiat plate portion extending at an angle to the first plate portion; a second plate having a third flat plate portion for securing the second plate to an inner edge of a door frame, and a fourth flat plate portion extending at an angle to the third plate portion, said second and fourth plate portions abutting each other when the door is closed, each of the second and fourth plate portions having a hole for receiving a locking bar, the holes of the second and fourth plate portions being in registration when the door is closed, and a bar for locking the plates together, said bar having a straight bar body with a hook at one end for engaging in the registering holes to lock the second and fourth plate portions together, said bar having an arm bent laterally outward for engaging the second plate portion while the hook engages the fourth plate portion for holding the two plates separated a maximum predetermined distance while the bar body assumes a substantially horizontal position, and whereby the bar body will slide through the hole in the second plate portion and will assume a vertical position when the second and fourth plate portions are brought together while the hook engages at the registering holes so that the plates will then be locked together again, each of the first and third plate portions having countersunk screw holes, and tamperproof screws inserted through said screw holes for securely mounting the plates on the door and door frame respectively, each of said screws having a countersunk head with a diametral slot, a quarter portion of said head being removed, so that a driving blade for the screws has bearing support in the slot in only one direction of turning.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A DOOR CHACK AND NIGHT LATCH, COMPRISING A FIRST PLATE HAVING A FIRST FLAT PLATE PORTION FOR SECURING THE FIRST PLATE TO ONE SIDE OF A DOOR, AND A SECOND FLAT PLATE PORTION EXTENDING AT AN ANGLE TO THE FIRST PLATE PORTION; A SECOND PLATE HAVING A THIRD FLAT PLATE PORTION FOR SECURING THE SECOND PLATE TO AN INNER EDGE OF A DOOR FRAME, AND A FOURTH FLAT PLATE PORTION EXTENDING AT AN ANGLE TO THE THIRD PLATE PORTION, SAID SECOND AND FOURTH PLATE PORTIONS ABUTTING EACH OTHER WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, EACH OF THE SECOND AND FOURTH PLATE PORTIONS HAVING A HOLE FOR RECEIVING A LOCKING BAR, THE HOLES OF THE SECOND AND FOURTH PLATE PORTIONS BEING IN REGISTRATION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND A LOCKING BAR FOR LOCKING THE PLATES TOGETHER, SAID BAR HAVING A STRAIGHT BAR BODY WITH A HOOK AT ONE END FOR ENGAGING IN THE REGISTERING HOLES TO LOCK THE SECOND AND FOURTH PLATE PORTIONS TOGETHER AND HAVING AN ARM AT ITS OTHER END DISPOSED IN A PLANE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE PLANE OF THE BODY OF THE BAR. 